Utah’s Babies Are Getting Names You Won’t Believe

Utah has never been the kind of place that blends quietly into the background, and apparently that includes what we name our babies. While much of the country is busy recycling the same handful of Olivias and Liams, Utah parents are out here doing what we do best: leaning hard into names that make people elsewhere raise an eyebrow and ask, “Wait…that’s a name?”

A recent AOL analysis of distinctive baby names shows just how uniquely Utah we really are. Take Hyrum, for example. Ranked a modest #3,400 nationally, it’s practically invisible in most states. But in Utah, 19 baby boys were named Hyrum last year, making it the #244 most popular choice. Even better, Utah accounts for nearly 56 percent of all the Hyrums in the entire United States. More than half of America’s Hyrums are being raised right here, which feels very on brand.

Then there’s Covey, ranked #5,053 nationally. Only 10 Utah babies received the name, but that still represents over 52 percent of all Coveys nationwide. If you meet a Covey somewhere else, there’s basically a coin-flip chance they’re from Utah. McKay follows the same pattern, with Utah making up exactly half of all McKays in the country.

What About The Girls?

The girls’ side is just as delightfully Utah. Alta, ranked #4,548 nationally, saw nine Utah births and accounts for 30 percent of all American Altas. Afton, another local favorite, represents more than 22 percent of all Aftons nationwide. And Ivie, ranked #1,956 nationally, had 19 Utah births, giving the state nearly one-fifth of all Ivies in the U.S.

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So yes, Utah is unique. Not only do we have our own mountains, our own culture, and our own way of doing things, but we also seem determined to corner the market on baby names that sound like they belong in a pioneer journal or a small-town romance novel. In Utah, being distinctive isn’t just a trend — it’s practically a requirement.